CebuFA denies Hiroshi appeal
HIROSHI FC had its appeal to play in the Philippine Football Federation regional eliminations this weekend denied by the Cebu Football Association (CebuFA) disciplinary committee.
The board met last night to discuss the appeal of Hiroshi, which got punished for its involvement in a brawl last Jan. 8 in the Thirsty Cup semifinal round.
Though disciplinary committee chairman Mark Bretherton is set to issue an official statement, Sun.Star Cebu learned of the decision from Frederick Alazas, Hiroshi FC's goalkeeper.
"The board has decided to maintain the original decision. Hiroshi will not play in the PFF regional games, thank you for your inputs. We sincerely hope you will maintain your interest in football," said a text message forwarded by Alazas to Sun.Star. Alazas said the text message was from Bretherton.
Even if it asks for another reconsideration, time is running out for Hiroshi as the regional elimination starts on Friday.
After the Thirsty Cup brawl, which involved Hiroshi and Crazy Horse FC, the CebuFA board suspended four Hiroshi players for a year and also meted out a two-year ban on two players, aside from preventing Hiroshi to play in the regional.
Hiroshi earned the right to represent Cebu in the regional elimination after topping the Aboitiz League last December, ahead of first runner-up Crazy Horse FC, which was also barred from joining the regional games.
The University of San Jose-Recoletos Alumni, which placed third in the Aboitiz League, will represent Cebu in Dumaguete.
Hiroshi coach Eddie Buot told Sun.Star in an interview they have accepted the players' punishment but called the additional punishment on Hiroshi as an "overkill."
"All this time, we were looking forward to play in the regional finals," said Alazas, who did not take part in the brawl as an injury early in the Thirsty Cup placed the former national youth team member on wheelchair.
"I informed (CebuFA board member) Jackie (Lotzoff) that this will greatly hurt the team," said Alazas. "It's such a waste since the team has been preparing hard for the regional games."
The board met last night to discuss the appeal of Hiroshi, which got punished for its involvement in a brawl last Jan. 8 in the Thirsty Cup semifinal round.
Though disciplinary committee chairman Mark Bretherton is set to issue an official statement, Sun.Star Cebu learned of the decision from Frederick Alazas, Hiroshi FC's goalkeeper.
"The board has decided to maintain the original decision. Hiroshi will not play in the PFF regional games, thank you for your inputs. We sincerely hope you will maintain your interest in football," said a text message forwarded by Alazas to Sun.Star. Alazas said the text message was from Bretherton.
Even if it asks for another reconsideration, time is running out for Hiroshi as the regional elimination starts on Friday.
After the Thirsty Cup brawl, which involved Hiroshi and Crazy Horse FC, the CebuFA board suspended four Hiroshi players for a year and also meted out a two-year ban on two players, aside from preventing Hiroshi to play in the regional.
Hiroshi earned the right to represent Cebu in the regional elimination after topping the Aboitiz League last December, ahead of first runner-up Crazy Horse FC, which was also barred from joining the regional games.
The University of San Jose-Recoletos Alumni, which placed third in the Aboitiz League, will represent Cebu in Dumaguete.
Hiroshi coach Eddie Buot told Sun.Star in an interview they have accepted the players' punishment but called the additional punishment on Hiroshi as an "overkill."
"All this time, we were looking forward to play in the regional finals," said Alazas, who did not take part in the brawl as an injury early in the Thirsty Cup placed the former national youth team member on wheelchair.
"I informed (CebuFA board member) Jackie (Lotzoff) that this will greatly hurt the team," said Alazas. "It's such a waste since the team has been preparing hard for the regional games."
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